APCOA Parking Fine Stoke-on-Trent Hospital

LostMyMSEAccount

I am trying to get my old account back, as I tried to login today and can't but in the meantime I need some help

I received a letter through today from APCOA regarding a Parking Charge Notice. My partner has a brain tumour and had taken a serious turn downhill. I drove her to hospital, in a panic, abandoned the car on the road outside which is double yellows. There were no spaces on the paid APCOA car park and considering the state my partner was in, I was happy to pay the council fine to be with her. It's only £25 and at least it goes to the council.

When I returned to the car, there was no FPN on the vehicle and I even joked "boy the council must be generous today". Today I've received a letter. First thing I've heard about it. 14th January. Notice is hereby blah blah, alleged contravention of Parked on double yellows, Hatched area or blocking a fire door at Royal Stoke University Hospital. I was parked on double yellows.

This notice was issued on the 17th February. Whole load of terms on the back about the fact it's an outstanding unpaid fine as an PCN was issued to the aforementioned vehicle. No it wasn't. Nothing was on my car and the photos taken clearly demonstrate that.

It is in APCOA's legitimate interests to regulate parking in this car park..... That isn't the car park, it's a road.... and not a private road either. I very much suspect it's an adopted road as the council used to put fines on the cars outside. To be honest.... I wouldn't usually fight this stuff but the language used in the letter has really irritated me as there's some fairly aggressive and unnecessary terminology used (APCOA will use your data as it wants blah blah blah)

If I have to pay, I'll pay, but just looking for advice. Thank you.

LostMyMSEAccount

I've just viewed the photos online and there is indeed a parking ticket on the drivers side window. However that was gone by the time I had returned. 

Redx

just read the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread , appeal as keeper using the blue text template, no blabbing about who was driving

ideally , get PALS to cancel the pcn

LostMyMSEAccount

Is signed for required or a Proof of postage enough? I would quite like to win this on principal. The language used in the letter is dreadful. I'm a fairly pragmatic person (despite everything going on) but I could imagine some people going through hell would see their stomach lining over the floor at the content of this letter.

I will phone PALS tomorrow. I've already spoken to them once or twice already, so will be interesting to see how far their goodwill extends.

Redx

If you can appeal online, do so , otherwise post a letter and get a free certificate of posting from the counter

LostMyMSEAccount

i can appeal online. do i use the same template?

Redx

yes , just use the blue text template , as keeper , no additions etc , no blabbing about who was driving , no ticking any driver boxes , its a keeper appeal because the keeper received the postal NTK

LostMyMSEAccount

thank you. i'll do that today. i'll also phone PALS.

D_P_Dance

Have you read this?  Have they complied?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams, so consider complaining to your MP, it can cause the scammer extra costs and work, and has been known to get the charge cancelled.

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, many of whom are former clampers, and on 15th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these shysters. Codes of Practice are being drawn up, an independent appeals service will be set up, and access to the DVLA's date base more rigorously policed, persistent offenders denied access to the DVLA database and unable to operate.

Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers, but until this is done you should still complain to your MP, citing the new legislation.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/8/contents/enacted

Just as the clampers were finally closed down, so hopefully will many of these Private Parking Companies.

MistyZ

Another outrageous hospital-related PCN.  Sounds like you're building a relationship with PALS - make sure that is to your advantage as opposed to them showing their 'goodwill' by politely refusing to do diddley squat.  Who in the world would have searched high & low for an alternative space in the circumstances you describe?  Be politely firm, very firm, with PALS.  Start thinking about what you'll write to the hospital's CEO too, if this is not resolved very promptly by PALS.

But of course do send the appeal as well.

Fruitcake

Boris said he was going to stop this sort of thing, so as well as contacting PALS you should also complain to your MP and the PM about this unregulated scam.